Former Norwich City striker Leon McKenzie will make his
professional boxing debut at the age of 35.
McKenzie scored 115 goals in 405 games for eight
different clubs before retiring as a professional in 2011.
His uncle Duke is a former five-time world champion and
father Clinton was a British and European title holder.
"I wouldn't be coming into it just to get out
again," he told BBC East Sport. "I'm 35, so I can't do it for long,
but I believe I can achieve something."
He added: "I've got through months and months of
training camp, getting up at five in the morning for runs. I'm doing what I've
got to do."
McKenzie, who started his career at Crystal Palace,
played in the Premier League with Norwich in 2004-05, scoring in a famous 2-0
victory over Manchester United, and had spells at Fulham, Peterborough,
Charlton, Coventry, Northampton and Kettering.
He has spoken publicly about his battle with depression
while playing and served a jail sentence last year for illegally trying to
avoid speeding offences.
"I sort of lost my direction a little bit. When I
had that time incarcerated I asked myself a lot of questions," he said.
"When I came out of there it just came to me and I
just wanted to fight.
"I'm sparring with professionals now and coming out
on top and that gave me the confidence to have a go at it."
An opponent has yet to be named for Croydon-born
McKenzie's debut at York Hall on 29 June.
But he has been preparing with 2008 Olympic gold
medallist and current WBC silver super middleweight champion James DeGale, as
well as British middleweight Richard Williams.
"Trust me they've hit me hard - to the point of
seeing stars," said McKenzie, who will be fighting at super middleweight.
"It feels amazing. I've been hit and I've been hurt.
It's a great experience for me and I held my own.
"As much as I've taken a few, I've got the ability
to bring some as well."
A follow-up bout is in the works, with the possibility of
a contest in Norwich on 15 September.
"It all depends how the first one goes," he
said. "If I come out unmarked we will be fighting in Norwich in the middle
of September." (Source)
